Robert Allen
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Robert A. Allen is an American programmer, former video game composer and producer.
Allen started composing at around age 5, but found it hard work and does not consider himself gifted.
Shortly after getting his first PC in 1992, he downloaded Epic Games's Jill of the Jungle (DOS) from a BBS and was immediately impressed with the almost life-like 256 colors and Dan Froelich’s music. After reading the game's "Calling All Programmers and Artists" page, he simply phoned Epic's president, Tim Sweeney, who suggested Allen send him an audio cassette. Sweeney liked the music and promised to let Allen know once a game needed music.
In the meantime, Allen began composing for ImagiSoft. After about 9 months, in 1993, Sweeney had him try out demos of Traffic Department 2192 (DOS) and Dare to Dream and offered him to work on them. Allen soon also ran a small division of Epic, called Safari Software, and tracked down Andras Molnar for Tyrian (DOS).
As of 2012, he is married with five awesome children and makes music for fun in his free time only. He has been a senior engineer on a digital content licensing marketplace.
Audio Development
DOS
Allen initially composed OPL2 music in MID and CMF formats and later digital music using an unknown tracker.
Windows 16
Allen used WinJammer.
Gameography
| Released | Title | Sample | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-??-?? | Chinese Checkers (DOS) (Version 2.0) | ||
| 1993-??-?? | Dare to Dream Part One: In A Darkened Room (W16) | ||
| 1993-??-?? | Dare to Dream Part Two: In Search of the Beast (W16) | ||
| 1993-??-?? | Dare to Dream Part Three: Christian's Lair (W16) | ||
| 1993-??-?? | Redhook's Revenge (DOS) | ||
| 1993-??-?? | Silverball (DOS) | ||
| 1993-11-?? | Epic Pinball (DOS) | |
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| 1994-??-?? | Jazz Jackrabbit (DOS) | ||
| 1994-??-?? | Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM (DOS) | ||
| 1994-??-?? | The Color Wizard (DOS) | |
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| 1994-??-?? | Traffic Department 2192 (DOS) | |
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| 1994-??-?? | Wari (DOS) | ||
| 1994-12-03 | Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1994 (DOS) | ||
| 1995-??-?? | Extreme Pinball (DOS) | ||
| 1995-??-?? | Tyrian (DOS) | Additional Sound FX | |
| 1995-09-28 | Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1995 (DOS) | ||
| 1998-??-?? | Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (W32) | Additional Music |
Picture Gallery
Drawn by Nick Stadler.
Interview from May 30, 2012.
Links
- mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,831/ - MobyGames.
- web.archive.org/web/20120603080658/http://epicgames.com/community/2012/05/epic-composer-interview-robert-allen/ - Interview fom May 30, 2012.
